A hugely-entertaining WW2 yarn serving as a clever "remix" of classic Higgins themes (e.g. cheeky Irish rogues and celebrity impersonations). Jersey, 1944: the German occupying force is startled to receive a visit from none other than Field Marshal Rommel, tasked by Hitler with overseeing the Western defences prior to the imminent (but still secret) Allied invasion. Ostensibly there for a surprise spot-check of Jersey's defences, the truth is (as always) somewhat murkier. Rommel, you see, isn't really Rommel: he's a German actor, recruited from the ranks to provide the REAL Rommel with an opportunity to meet with his anti-Hitler co-conspirators in France. But what Rommel doesn't know is that the actor hired to impersonate him is himself an impostor -- a Jewish refugee, in fact, who's exchanged identities with a dead German soldier. But that's not all. Also washing up on Jersey's shores is an American officer, a "Bigot" in Army parlance (a codename given to the handful of men with full knowledge of Operation Overlord). He was taking part in a simulated Normandy-landing exercise somewhere on the Devon coast when a German E-boat interfered, leaving the wounded officer adrift in a life-raft on the English Channel. Someone has to go in and rescue him -- or, if that's not possible, silence him before the Jerries get hold of him. That man is Harry Martineau, ex-Oxford philosophy don turned ruthless assassin. Martineau's plan is to impersonate an SS bigwig, infiltrate Jersey (with a top-secret portfolio ensuring no-one dares question his presence) and whisk the Bigot to safety. But things ain't that simple. Right from the off, a pair of nosy Gestapo thugs start a covert investigation of Martineau's movements, suspecting something fishy. And then Martineau gets the wizard notion to incorporate another bit of naughtiness into his already-packed schedule. How about knocking off Rommel, while he's here...?So, plentiful opportunities here for complications, convolutions and, er, kerfuffles of various hues. Sean Gallagher is the loveable Irish rogue this time around, a former General in the IRA, now turned to more peaceful activities. Also on the goodies' side is an Italian Naval officer, devastatingly charming, seconded (then stranded) on Jersey after his own side capitulated (and is now officially fighting AGAINST the Nazis). Oh, and there's a feisty young lady, too: a terribly proper English girl posing as Martineau's French tart. As before, the bad end badly, etc. Higgins has a great feel for the geography of the place, and the island makes for an exciting, confined setting. All enormous fun, and would make a terrific film -- though whether or not the 1990 TV movie fulfils that promise, I couldn't say. If you want a zippy, uncomplicated read, you could do a lot worse.
This exciting spy novel about the World War II era is so historically detailed it might have actually happened. After a wounded American officer, with too much information about the impending allied invasion of Europe, is lost at sea he turns up on the German occupied island of Jersey. It then becomes top priority for British intelligence to locate him and either rescue him or eliminate him. Two British citizens fit the bill for attempting to find him; an experienced agent who has often passed as German and a nurse who grew up on the island. As their boldly intricate plan begins to unfold it appears that it will all come off without a hitch, that is until fate intervenes. A good fast read that keeps moving.
Do You like book Night Of The Fox (1991)?
Classic World War 2 spy story complete with real people from the war intermixed with the fictional ones. There's a very strong attention to detail regarding Jersey, the weaponry, the uniforms and life under occupation. All of these things make the reading enjoyable. Almost all of the characters came across well. My only disappointment was in the main character, Harry Martineau. By the end of the novel, I realized I never felt a deep connection to his character. Sarah, Gallagher, Heini, even Rommel all came across better than Harry did. Still, the story itself is entertaining and inventive. Four and a half stars would be my rating but as I have to choose an even amount, four it is.
—Michael Drakich
Jack Higgins is one of those authors you're just not allowed to knock. He wrote Where Eagles Dare and it's absolutely awesome, so automatically that means everyone gives higher ratings to his other stuff. Unfortunately, the truth is that like other authors, his output can vary in quality. Some of it, I'm afraid, really isn't very good. That's where Night of the Fox falls on the spectrum of his work. If you're a completionist, if you absolutely have to read everything an author's ever done, then is the time to break out this book.If you're looking for an introduction to Jack Higgins: this isn't it. Go read something good. From Where Eagles Dare to East of Desolation, there's plenty to choose from.
—Patrick Noble
I read the shorter Reader's Digest version of this story. I don't tend to read war books. Too much politics and maneuvering for me. Technical army terms confuse me. That is partly why I chose the RD version to read. I actually enjoyed the story. It was more like a history lesson than a war book. I wonder if something similar really happened. I actually wouldn't be surprised to learn it did. It is set during World War II. I enjoyed the story except the names. There were soooo many characters and some had two names (if you read it you will understand that statement). Sometimes I was confused as to who was who. But in the end it all made sense. Was that cryptic enough? lol I learned after reading it that there was a movie made about it in 1990. Perhaps that will make all the characters easier to follow.
—Jeanette
